West Coast impresses Rivals250 TE
Flower Mound (Texas) Marcus 2016 Rivals250 tight end Kaden Smith has been able to make several visits since the recruiting process began for him as a freshman. He has taken trips to the West Coast and the East, and over the weekend he made his way west for another big college experience.
The 6-foot-5, 230-pound tight end was in attendance at the Stanford/USC game over the weekend, and while it was not his first trip to Stanford, it was an important one.
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"I was really interested in going to a game there because I've been to games at other schools that I'm looking at and I thought Stanford/USC would be a really good game, and just another chance to see the campus and the coaches," Smith said.
One thing he made sure to watch was the offense, and how Stanford used their tight end.
"Just seeing their game first hand I realized they really do use the tight end a lot," Smith said. "I've heard it, but I've never watched it. They threw the game winning touchdown to their tight end but it got called back. They definitely used him a lot."
In addition to seeing how he might fit into the Cardinal offense, he also enjoyed the chance to see a game day atmosphere in Palo Alto.
"The atmosphere was great," Smith said. "I understood they don't start school until about two weeks or so, so the students aren't on campus yet. But their student section was full and I was real impressed. And the weather was amazing."
Of course, Smith was also able to catch up with the Stanford coaching staff.
"Yeah I was. I had a few questions for them," Smith said. "Just curiosity. Like what other tight ends they're taking and like where they plan to go from here."
The visit to Stanford was a great experience, and it is safe to say Smith has expressed strong interest in the Cardinal program. However, Smith is not quite ready to name any leaders or favorites in his recruiting process.
"No, I'm not really sure about leaders," Smith said. "I like to keep an open mind. I like a bunch of schools. There's not really a bad school out there."
Smith does have a few more visits in his near future with one stop coming up this weekend.
"I think I was planning to go to the Alabama/Auburn game," Smith said. "Maybe go see the Georgia/Tennessee. And I am going to Texas/UCLA game this weekend at Cowboys Stadium."
In addition to the recruiting process, Smith has also been thinking about which All-American game he would like to play in. On Tuesday evening he announced he will be playing in the 2016 Under Armour All-American game.
"It's a great opportunity to see what level I'm at with a bunch of other talent around the United States, and if I'm committed by then meet a couple of my teammates," Smith said. "And go to Orlando and just enjoy it."
Smith recorded 14 receptions for 192 yards as a freshman, and 40 receptions for 640 yards and eight touchdowns as a sophomore. He has already caught five receptions for 56 yards as a junior in 2014, and he feels good about the direction of the Marcus squad.
"The season is great," Smith said. "The first game we started out kind of slow. It's a whole new system. But this past game we put up 39 points and the offense is moving. We play our rival this week."
Smith is currently ranked No. 197 in the 2016 Rivals250, No. 10 among the nation's 2016 tight ends, and No. 22 in the Rivals.com Texas Initial Top 75 for 2016.